News and Releases

Keyword: Verna Mae
Sunday@CMU: August 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ 12:00 AM
Voices of the CMU Community
This month on Sunday@CMU, we highlight student voices from the CMU community. Listen to stories produced by Communications and Media students in CMU's radio team course and hear performances from this year's 20th annual Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition finals.
Read More2025 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 @ 4:34 PM
In its 20th year, the finalists of the 2025 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition were:
Read MoreCMU's Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition crowns 20th champion (Classic 107)
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 @ 11:51 AM
The music school at Canadian Mennonite University marked a significant milestone last week as it presented the 20th edition of the Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition.
The competition was founded in 2006 by Peter Janzen in memory of his wife Verna Mae, who was deeply embedded in the Mennonite music community before her death in 1989.
"This competition is a small way that my mom and dad could give back to CMU and Winnipeg," said Peter and Verna Mae's child CJ Janzen in a statement. "Throughout her 13-year battle with cancer, music was her balm, her joy, and comfort."
The competition is an annual highlight for students in CMU's music community, including this year's winner, soprano Julia Norris.
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Read MoreCelebrating the 20th anniversary of the Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition
Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 9:24 AM
The lovely sounds of sonatas, cantatas, and melodies have resonated through the halls of the Laudamus Auditorium every spring for two decades now as Canadian Mennonite University's School of Music celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition.
Founded in 2006 by Peter Janzen of Deep River, ON, in memory of his wife, Verna Mae, who died of cancer in 1989, the competition acts as a way for Peter to support the music landscape in which Verna was deeply embedded.
Read MoreSunday@CMU: May 2024
Sunday, May 5, 2024 @ 12:00 AM
Voices of the CMU Community
This month on Sunday@CMU, we are featuring the voices of CMU students. Listen to speeches from the 2024 C. Henry Smith Oratorical Peace Contest and performances from this year's 19th annual Verna Mae Janzen music competition finals.
Read MoreViolinist wins the 19th annual Verna Mae Janzen Competition
Thursday, April 4, 2024 @ 10:31 AM
The 19th annual Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) reached a rousing crescendo this year, as the night's final performer, William Harder, was awarded first place.
The Winnipeg violinist says, "It is really rewarding to have some very tangible recognition for all of the work that gets put into practicing music."
Read More2024 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition (video and photos)
Monday, March 25, 2024 @ 9:00 AM
View the full performance of each finalist, hear the jurors' comments, and learn the outcome of the competition.
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Sunday@CMU: July 2023
Sunday, July 2, 2023 @ 12:00 AM
Voices of the CMU Community
This month on Sunday@CMU, we are featuring the voices of CMU students. Listen to hear excerpts of speeches from the 2023 C. Henry Smith Oratorical Peace Contest and performances from this year's 18th annual Verna Mae Janzen music competition finals.
Read MorePianist wins 2023 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition
Thursday, April 20, 2023 @ 3:40 PM
A pianist from Inglis, Manitoba is the winner of the 18th annual Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU).
Georg Neuhofer's performance in the finals, held on Thursday, March 23 in CMU's Laudamus Auditorium, earned him first place and the $700 prize that comes with it.
Read More2023 Verna Mae Janzen Music Competition (video, photos)
Friday, March 31, 2023 @ 12:00 AM
View the full performance of each finalist, hear the jurors' comments, and learn the outcome of the competition.
Read More